PROSPECT - An angel reached down and grabbed the reins in the draft horse ring Wednesday night.

That angel was Traves Neff, whose family traveled to the Big Butler Fair to present a trophy in his memory that night to the winner of the Percheron single-hitch men's cart class.

Neff, who spent a large part of his childhood and teenage years on a high cart behind one or more of the huge, glossy black beasts, was well-known as a competitor in draft horse shows at the fair and Butler Farm Show.

Neff was a devoted Christian, a hard worker, and a gentle, clownish soul with an infectious grin and an outstretched hand to help anyone.

It was that helpful spirit that led Neff and three other members of his Pace, Fla., church to take off in a small plane in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan on Sept. 23 with the intent of photographing damaged areas that might have needed help from him and his fellow congregation members.

The plane, piloted by the Karns City High School graduate, crashed shortly after takeoff. All four occupants of the plane were killed. More than 2,700 people attended Traves' funeral in Florida.

Traves' mother and father, Greg and Patee Neff of Pace, grandmother Twila Ritchey of Parker, great-aunt and great-uncle Ed and Evelyn Ritchey of Petrolia, sister CoDee' Neff, and his sister and brother-in-law DeAnna and Allen Scheerbaum of Chicora, along with their children Dustin and LaCee, came to the draft horse ring on Wednesday afternoon to honor Traves' memory with the trophy inscribed with their loved one's name.

"My heart is broken," said Petee Neff as she stared at the rows of bustling barns that house the draft horses Traves loved. "I can see him coming down through here leading the horses. I know he's watching over us."

Coincidentally, or some would say not so coincidentally, the trophy was won by Traves' brother-in-law and longtime team-driving mentor, Allen Scheerbaum. The last person to drive "Duffer," the single black Percheron effortlessly pulling the cart, in a single-hitch men's cart class was Traves, who drove the steed at last year's farm show.

"I'm glad it was Allen and I'm glad it was Duffer (who won the trophy,)" said DeAnna Scheerbaum, who showed Percherons with her brother when they were children. Traves also helped build and paint a handful of carts in his time.

The soft-spoken Allen Scheerbaum, whose family is well-known and respected in area draft horse circles, took the blue ribbon and trophy in a large class of seven other riders. He said the trophy will adorn a special place in his large trophy case at home.

"It's a nice dedication," said Scheerbaum, "and a very special trophy."

Although he took third place on one of Scheerbaum's carts, Traves' father was elated with the class' results.

"That was the greatest thing that could happen, that Allen won that trophy," said a beaming Greg Neff.

Although bereft, the Neff family members are able to smile and carry on with their lives because of their belief that Traves is in heaven with his brother Preston, who died three years ago on Traves' birthday.

Greg Neff recalled that Traves never drank or swore, and would envelope his father in a bear hug when he spied him in an airport, even when Traves was wearing his captain's uniform in his job as a pilot for Continental Airlines.

"He was truly the finest son any man could ever have," said Neff.

CoDee' Neff said she thinks her brother would appreciate the memorial trophy, which the family plans to award annually at the fair and farm show. Speaking from her lofty perch atop a gleaming black Percheron, CoDee' attributed her love of draft horses to Traves.

"It's kind of my way of being with him," said CoDee'. "He taught me everything I know (about horses.)"

LaCee Scheerbaum, 9, said Traves asked her to sing the National Anthem at last year's opening of the draft horse show at the fair, but she was too afraid. On Wednesday afternoon, LaCee took the microphone and belted out a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

"I feel proud," LaCee said after the performance. "I feel that I faced my fears … for Traves."

Patee Neff summed up the feelings of all those who knew and loved her son because of his cheerful personality, strong faith and dedication to helping others.

"If a little bit of Traves could rub off on everyone, it would be a better world."